Illuminated mirror



May 1, 1962 R. D. PARSONS ILLUMINATED MIRROR Filed July 8, 1960 Roscoe 0. Parsons INVENTOR.

BY WW 8m United States PatentQflflce 3,032,643 ILLUMINATED MIRROR Roscoe D. Parsons, Fort Rucker, Ala. (Avn. Sect. Armish-M.A.A.G., F.A.T. 6, APO 205, New York, N.Y.) Filed July 8, 1960, Ser. No. 41,666 3 Claims. (Cl. 2406.45)

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in mirrors of the vanity or make-up type and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a mirror of this character which is adapted to be readily secured and used in a ladys purse, handbag or the like.

Another very important object of the present invention is to provide a purse, etc., mirror of the aforementioned character comprising novel illuminating means.

Still another very important object of the invention is to provide a mirror of the character described wherein the illuminating means comprises a conventional flashlight which, if desired, may be expeditiously removed and used separately.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated mirror of the character set forth wherein the complete device may be readily removed from the purse and used independently.-

Other objects-of the invention are to provide an illuminated purse, etc. mirror which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in side elevation of a purse with a portion thereof broken away to show a mirror embodying the present invention mounted therein;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the device; and

FIGURE 3 is a view in transverse section, showing the device in position for use in a purse.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a mounting bracket or base of metal or other suitable material which is designated generally by reference numeral 4. The base 4 includes a generally rectangular, horizontally elongated plate 5 which is adapted to be removably mounted on one of the side walls 6 of a purse or the like 7. Toward this end, the plate 5 has formed integrally with its upper and lower edges longitudinally spaced tongues 8 having their free end portions rolled in a manner to provide tubular loops or eyes 9. The pairs of eyes 9 are longitudinally aligned for the reception from either direction of removable pins 10. The pins 10 terminate at one end in resilient clips 11 which are engageable with the adjacent eyes 9 for frictionally securing said pins in position.

The pins 10 are insertable in the usual lining 12 of the purse 7 in the manner shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawing for firmly but removably securing the device in position in said purse. Or, if desired, the device may be secured in the purse through the medium of studs or the like. Accordingly, the tongues 8 are provided with holes 13 for the reception of the studs.

Hingedly mounted as at 14 on the upper longitudinal edge of the plate 5 is a generally rectangular panel 15. Mounted on the panel 15 is a mirror 16. The lower marginal portion and the end portions of the panel 15 are flanged to provide a retaining frame 17 for the mirror 16. The mirror 16 is spaced from the upper longitudinal edge of the panel 15.

3,032,643 Patented May 1, 1962 Mounted on the upper longitudinal marginal portion of the panel 15 above the mirror 16 is a pair of longitudinally spaced, aligned resilient clips or clamps 18. The clips 18 are for the reception of a removable flashlight 19 of the pen-type. A generally U-shaped stall 20 is provided on one end portion of the panel 15 for the reception of one end portion of the flashlight 19 for securing said flashlight against longitudinal movement in one direction. A generally U-shaped shield 21 on the panel 15 receives the other end portion of the flashlight 19, which includes the usual incandescent lamp, and positively retains said flashlight against longitudinal movement in the other direction in addition to shading said lamp. Mounted on the panel 15 and overlying the adjacent end portion of the mirror 16 is an inclined, angulated reflector 22 for illuminating said mirror and the user of the device from the flashlight 19.

Formed integrally with the lower longitudinal edge of the plate 5 is a pair of resilient latches or the like 23 which extend forwardly from said blade at substantially right angles thereto. The latches 23 are engageable with the free longitudinal edge of the panel 15 for releasably securing said panel against swinging movement on the base 4.

It is thought that the use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the panel 15 with the mirror 16 thereon is normally retained by the latches 23 in closed or inoperative position on the plate 5. This is shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawing. When the device is to be used, the purse 7 is, of course, opened. The panel 15 is then disengaged from the resilient latches 23 and said panel 15 with the mirror 16 thereon is swung upwardly to the position of FIG- URE 3 of the drawings. The usual thumb switch 24 of the flashlight 19 is then closed for illuminating the mirror 16 and the adjacent area including the interior of the purse through the medium of the angular, inclined reflector 22. After the device has been used the foregoing procedure is substantially reversed. The construction and arrangement is such that the flashlight 19 may be readily removed for replacing the batteries or for independent use. Also, by removing the pins 10 the complete device may be readily removed as a unit from the purse 7 to be used as desired.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A mirror comprising, in combination, a base including a rigid, rectangular plate, means for securing said plate in apurse, a rectangular panel hingedly mounted longitudinally for swinging adjustment in a vertical plane on the plate, a rectangular mirror mounted longitudinally on said panel and spaced from the hinge thereof, clips mounted on the panel between said hinge thereof and the mirror, a flashlight removably mounted in said clips and paralleling the mirror, a reflector on one end of the panel and in the path of the flashlight for reflecting light therefrom to the mirror, and resilient latches integral with one of the longitudinal edges of the plate engageable with the free end of the panel for releasably securing the same against swinging movement on said plate.

2. In combination, a purse including a lining, and a self-contained illuminated mirror unit removably mounted in the purse on the lining, said unit comprising a rectangular base plate, apertured ears integral with the longitudinal edges of the base plate and lying in the plane thereof, longitudinally aligned pairs of tubular loops on the free ends of said ears, pins slidably insertable in either direction through the aligned pairs of loops and penetrating the lining for detachably securing the base plate thereon in an essentially vertical position, resilient anchoring clips on one end of the pins frictionally en'- gaged with the adjacent loops, a rectangular panel on the base plate having one of its longitudinal edges hingedly secured to the upper longitudinal edge thereof for hanging by gravity therefrom, said panel being swingable upwardly to an operative position on the base plate, a rectangular mirror member fixed longitudinally on the panel in spaced parallelism with the hinged longitudinal edge thereof, resilient clips integral with lower longitudinal edge of the base plate and extending at a right angle to said base plate and engageable with the free longitudinal edge of the panel for releasably securing same in an inoperative position on said base plate, and means for illuminating the mirror member.

3. In combination, a purse including a lining, and a self-contained illuminated mirror unit removably mounted in the purse on the lining, said unit comprising a rectangular base plate, apertured ears integral with the 1ong'itudinal edges of the base plate and lying in the plane thereof, longitudinally aligned pairs of tubular loops on the free ends at said ears, pins slidably insertable in either direction through the aligned pairs of loops and penetrating the lining for detachably securing the base plate thereon in an essentially vertical position, resilient anchoring clips on one end of the pins frictionally engaged with the adjacent loops, a rectangular panel on the base plate having one of its longitudinal edges hingedly secured to the upper longitudinal edge thereof for hanging by gravity therefrom, said panel being swingable upwardly to an operative position on the base plate, a rectangular mirror member fixed longitudinally on the panel in spaced parallelism with the hinged longitudinal edge thereof, resilient clips integral with lower longitudinal edge of the base plate and engageable with the free longitudinal edge of the panel for releasably securing same in an inoperative position on said base plate, and means for illuminating the mirror member, said means including pairs of resilient slips integral with the panel between said hinged longitudinal edge thereof and the mirror member, a flashlight removably mounted in the last-named clips in parallelism with the mirror member, and an angulated reflector on one end portion of the panel overlying the corresponding end portion of the mirror member and orientated to refleet light thereto from the flashlight.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 102,185 Germany Apr. 21, 1898 

